Tuesday, April 28, 2009

what kind of jeopardy?

i've been mulling this over for days now trying to decide if i should post this. quite frankly....i don't see how i can't post it.

let me begin by saying if you are easily offended by body part names.......stop reading now. if you choose to read this post and become offended......i apologize.........here goes............

i'm required to take periodic classes to update the skills needed to do my job. some are interesting.....some not so interesting......but this last one......well........it was different.

it was a series of speakers teaching a mixed group of public officials the skills needed to interview and prepare a case for the child victim of a sexual assault.......not a very pleasant subject but everyone needs to be on top of their game to help these children. our class began at 9am with a court prosecutor that gave us some useful info on what to ask, who to ask, how to present our case in court, etc. ok.........that was good. next speaker was one of my personal friends that works in computer crimes. she spoke on her specialty................internet sexual predators........she's one of the officers that pretend to be a child online to hunt down these sick individuals. i'd heard her speak many times before but did pick up some tips on a few new trends. next speaker talked about how her agency interviews these child victims and offered their services to our agency. then lunch..............alright! a much needed break and food to boot!

we spent an hour eating and networking with the folks from the other agencies. it's always good to have contacts. ok........call to order.............our last speaker of the day is up. we're all full and tired and a little sleepy. they dim the lights (not good......did i mention we were ready for a nap?) and here on a full size movie screen is a VERY intimate picture of a vagina. everyone kinda slides down in their seats and tries to become invisible. our last speaker is one of the doctors who perform the exams on our child victims. she goes on to explain all the medical terms.....what they look for......what's normal......what's not...........now, unfortunately, we've all seen this kind of thing before......but it's one thing to be a first responder and handle the situation based on our training and another to sit around in mixed groups seeing these pictures and listening to case histories........ not so good.........but hey.........it's the last speaker...........we're almost outta here! and THEN..........the doctor says............ "now for a little test to see if you were paying attention"........... and low and behold......up on the screen pops "vagina jeopardy"...............say what???? .......and were we allowed to volunteer? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! we were called on.............ahhhhhh........i'll take vulva for $400 please....................
welcome to my world........................

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

What a difficult day and a horrible subject, but it is a blessing that we have people who are able to help these children. I have a friend who was a nurse in the cancer ward of the children's hospital. I could never understand how she could go to work every day but eternally grateful that there are people who can do this kind of work.